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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Fh0lDgFa[to 

Sciences 
Corporation 


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as  WMT  MAIN  STRHT 

WnSTII,N.Y.  14SM 

(7l«)t73-4S03 


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CIHM/iCMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/iCIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Onatituta  for  HMorlcal  Mlcroraproductlona  /  InatHut  Canadian  da  microraproductlona  hiatoflquaa 


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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notaa/Nota*  tachnlquaa  at  bibllographlquaa 


Tha  Inatituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  IM  bibiiographlcally  unlqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
raproductlon,  or  which  may  aignif  icantly  changa 
tha  uaual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chacitad  baCow. 


D 


D 
D 


n 


ffl 


Colourad  covara/ 
Couvartura  da  couiaur 


r~n   Covara  damagad/ 


Couvartura  andommagAa 

Covara  raatorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  raataurte  at/ou  palilculte 

Covar  titia  miaaing/ 

La  titra  da  couvartura  manqua 

Colourad  mapa/ 

Cartaa  ctegraphiquas  an  couiaur 

Colourad  inic  (i.a.  othar  than  biua  or  black)/ 
Encra  da  couiaur  (i.e.  autra  qua  blaua  ou  noira) 


I     I   Colourad  plataa  and/or  iiluatratlona/ 


Pianchaa  at/ou  iiluatratlona  an  couiaur 

Bound  with  othar  material/ 
ReliA  avac  d'autrea  documanta 

Tight  binding  may  cauae  ahadowa  or  diatortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

Larellure  aerrte  peut  cauaar  da  I'ombra  ou  de  la 
diatortion  la  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leavea  added  during  reatoratlon  may 
appear  within  tha  text.  Whenever  poaaible,  theae 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
11  ae  peut  que  certainaa  pagea  blanchea  ajoutiea 
lore  d'une  reatauration  apparalaaent  dene  le  texte, 
mala,  loraqua  cela  Atalt  poaaible,  cea  pagea  n'ont 
pea  4tA  filmAea. 


L'Inatltut  a  microfllmA  la  mellleur  exemplaira 
qu'il  lui  a  4tA  poaaible  de  ae  procurer.  Lea  dAtaila 
de  cet  exempliiire  qui  aont  paut-Atre  unlquea  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reprodulte,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dana  la  mAthode  normaia  de  filmage 
aont  indiqute  ci-daaaoua. 


pn  Coloured  pagea/ 


Pagea  de  couleur 

Pagea  damaged/ 
Pagea  andommagAea 

Pagea  raatorad  and/oi 

Pagea  reatauriea  at/ou  pelliculAea 

Pagea  diacoloured,  atained  or  foxai 
Pagea  dteolorAea,  tachatioa  ou  piquAea 

Patfaa  detached/ 
Pagea  dAtachAea 

Showthrough> 
Tranaparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Qualit*  InAgaia  de  I'impreaaion 

Includaa  aupplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  material  auppl4mentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  diaponible 


I — I  Pagea  damaged/ 

r~n  Pagea  raatorad  and/or  laminated/ 

0  Pagea  diacoloured,  atained  or  foxed/ 
Pagea 

I     I  Patfaa  detached/ 

r~y|  Showthrough/ 

r~n  Quality  of  print  variaa/ 

r~n  Includaa  aupplementary  material/ 

I — I  Only  edition  available/ 


TN 
to 


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filr 


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Bio 
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Pagea  wholly  or  partially  obacured  by  errata 
allpa,  tiaaueo,  etc..  have  been  refilmed  to 
enaure  the  beat  poaaible  Image/ 
Lea  pagea  totalement  ou  partleilement 
obacurciea  par  un  faulllet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc..  ont  4tA  filmAea  A  nouveau  de  fapon  h 
obtanir  la  meiileure  image  poaaible. 


Additional  commanta:/ 
Commentairea  aupplAmentairea: 


This  copy  ii  a  photoreproduetion. 


Thia  Item  la  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  eat  filmA  au  taux  da  rMuctlon  indiquA  ci-deaaoua. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

aox 

! 

A 

• 

12X 

16X 

2DX 

24X 

28X 

»x 

The  copy  filmed  here  hes  been  reproduced  thenks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Librery  of  the  Pubiic 
Archives  of  Csnede 


L'exempieire  film*  fut  reproduit  grice  i  la 
g4n4rositA  de: 

Lb  bibliothAque  des  Archives 
pubiiques  du  Csnede 


The  imeges  eppeering  here  ere  the  best  quelity 
possibie  considering  the  condition  end  legibility 
of  the  originei  copy  end  in  Iceeping  with  the 
filming  contrect  specifications. 


Les  imeges  suivantes  ont  AtA  reproduites  avec  ie 
plus  grend  soin,  compte  tenu  de  ie  condition  et 
de  ie  nettetA  de  l'exempieire  f iimA,  et  en 
conformity  evec  les  conditions  du  contrst  de 
filmege. 


Originei  copies  in  printed  peper  covers  ere  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  lest  page  with  e  printed  or  illustreted  impres- 
sion, or  the  bacic  cover  when  epproprlete.  All 
other  originei  copies  ere  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  e  printed  or  Illustreted  impres- 
sion, end  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustreted  impression. 


Les  exempleik'es  origineux  dont  la  couverture  en 
pepier  est  ImprSmAe  sent  fiimAs  en  commenpant 
par  Ie  premier  plst  et  en  terminent  soit  par  la 
dernlAre  pege  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impresslon  ou  d'illustretion,  soit  par  ie  second 
piet,  selon  ie  ces.  Tous  les  sutres  exemplairas 
origineux  sent  filmte  en  comnien^ant  par  la 
premlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impresslon  ou  d'illustretion  et  en  terminent  par 
la  dernlAre  pege  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  lest  recorded  freme  on  eech  microfiche 
shell  contein  the  symbol  ^^^  (meening  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  Y  (meening  "END"), 
whichever  epplies. 


Un  dee  symboles  sulvents  spperettra  sur  la 
dernlAre  Imege  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  Ie 
ces:  Ie  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  Ie 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Meps,  pistes,  cherts,  etc.,  mey  be  filmed  et 
different  reduction  retlos.  Those  too  isrge  to  be 
entirely  Included  in  one  exposure  ere  filmed 
beginning  In  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  end  top  to  bottom,  as  many  fremes  es 
required.  The  following  diegrems  iilustrste  the 
method: 


Les  certes,  plenches,  tsbleeux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmte  A  des  teux  de  rMuction  difftrents. 
Lorsque  Ie  document  est  trop  grend  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  ssui  clichA,  II  est  film*  it  psrtir 
de  i'engle  supArieur  geuche,  de  geuche  it  drolte. 
et  de  heut  en  bes,  en  prenent  ie  nombre 
d'imeges  nAcesseire.  Les  disgrammes  suivants 
lliustrent  ie  mAthode. 


1  2  3 


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4 

5 

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Ml- 


The  Causes  and  Effects  of  War. 


SERMON, 

DELIVERED    IX     SALEM,    AUGUST    20,     1812, 

THE  PAY  0? 

NATIONAL  HUMILIATION  AND 

PRAYER. 


By  brown  EMERSON, 

SOLI.sXOt'E    PASTOR    or    THE     THIRD    CitUKCa    Of    CHRIiT 

lit    SAI.EM- 


SALEM  : 

YRIXTED    BY   JOSHUA.   CVSJII  >»-:, 

1812. 


SERMON. 


Jeremiah  iv.   19. 

My  hoivoh^  my  bQweh  !  I  am  pained  at  my  very  heart ; 
my  heart  mahcth  a  no'ife  in  ?fie  ;  J  cannot  hold  my  peace ^ 
hccaujo  thou  hajl  hcard^  0  my  foul ^  the  found  of  the  irum- 
fet,  the  alarm  of  luar. 

The  occafion,  my  brethren,  on  wlilch  we  arc  again 
alTemblcd,  is  fufiiciently  awful  and  diftrcflingto  jaltify 
the  adoption  of  thefc  pathetic  words.  It  is  enough, 
indeed,  to  make  a  man  of  feeling  and  benevolence  fick 
at  the  very  heart,  to  view  the  unutterable  mifcrics, 
which  have  arifcn  from  war,  in  every  age  of  the 
world  ;  and  more  efpccially  within  twenty  years  paft. 
Thofe  fcenes  of  unequalled  horror,  wrctchednefs  and 
crime,  which  have  been  rapidly  unfolding  in  Europe, 
ever  fince  the  commencement  of  the  French  revolution, 
are  enough,even  in  dillant  report,  to  fill  our  hearts  with 
pain,  and  make  them  fink  within  us.  Separated,  how- 
ever, from  thofe  fcenes  by  the  wide  Atlantic,  and  hav- 
ing no  part  in  the  bloody  conflicts  of  the  eaftern  conti- 
pent,  wc  have  relied  fecurcly  in  our  peaceful  abodes. 

But  at  length  our  neutral  ground  is  .abandoned,  wc 
are  enlifled  in  the  mighty  controverfy,  and  our  ears 
are  aflailed  with  the  horrid  din  of  war.  After  a  peace 
of  almoft  thirty  years,  during  which  we  have  enjoyed 
unparalleled  profperity,  we  arc  plunged  into  a  difiif- 
trous  conllicl:,  gloomy  in  its  afpe(n:,  fearful  in  its  pro- 
grefs,  and  veiled  as  to  its  termination  in  dreadful  un- 
certainty. The  profpccl  before  us  is  truly  dark  and  a- 
larming ;  and  every  friend  of  peace,  liberty  and  reli- 
gion, muft  be  pained  at  the  very  heart,  and  deeply  re- 
gret our  melancholy  condition. 


*       X 


.   1 


War  IS  a  dreadful  calamity,  even  in  its  moP.  favor- 
able ciicumRanccs.  It  is  always  a  fcourgc  to  a  nation, 
iiiftly  merited  from  tlic  hand  of  the  Almighty,  as  a 
recompcncc  for  the  crying  fins  of  the  land.  As  fucli 
it  loudly  calls,  not  io\'  joy  -^x^^feajring,  but  for  weeping, 
for  filling,  for  fervent  prayer.  To  make  the  com- 
mencement of  a  ferious  war,  efpecially  in  the  prefent 
fituation  of  the  world,  and  of  our  own  country,  an  oc- 
cafion  of  rejoicing,  as  if  fome  fpecial  favor  were  jufl  re- 
ceived, indicates  a  pcrverfe,  cruel,  ferocious  fpirit. 
What !  rejoice  at  the  moft  terrible  of  all  divine  judg- 
ments! Rejoice  when  Jehovah's  hand  is  raifed  to  fcourgc 
us  for  our  fins !  Rejoice  at  the  cfTufion  of  human  blood, 
and  the  fpread  of  confufion,  miiery  and  crimes  through 
the  whole  body  of  the  people  ; — evils,  which  will  be  felt 
by  children's  children  !  This  outrages  the  hardnefs  and 
prefumption  even  of  wicked  Pharaoh.  The  king  of  E- 
gypt  himfelf  was  not  fo  utterly  lofl  to  the  fear  of  God 
and  a  fenfe  of  fin  ;  for  when  the  judgments  of  Heaven 
were  upon  his  land,  he  trembled,  relented,  confefled, 
and  promifed  to  reform.  We  do  not  find  the  prophet 
Jeremiah  rejoicing  at  the  idea  of  war.  Far  from  it. 
Though  he  delivered  the  prophecy,  with  which  my  text 
is  connected,  of  the  war  of  the  Jews  with  the  king  of 
Babylon,  twenty  years  before  that  war  took  place ; 
yet,  in  prophetic  view  of  it,  he  uttered  himfelf  in 
terms  of  fuch  deep  lamentation  and  diftreO  :  My  bow- 
els, my  bowels  !  /  am  pained  at  my  very  heart .  /  cannot 
hold  my  peace :  becauje  thou  hajl  heard,  0  my  foul,  the 
found  of  the  trumpet,  the  alarm  of  war. 

In  difcourfing  on  this  tender  and  ftriking  paflagc,  I 
fhall  attempt  to  fliow  what  circumjlances  attend  ajlaie 
efwar,  which  render  it  peculiarly  diflrefjing  to  every  en- 
lightened and  benevolent  mind, 

Thefe  circumflances  we  may  difcover,  if  wc  confi- 
der  the  caufcs  and  the  effcSls  of  war. 

I.  Let  us  confidcr  what  there  is  difirefling  and  la- 
mentable in  the  caufes  of  war. 


fi 


The  world  in  whicli  we  live  is  an  nccldcmi,  a  vafl 
field  of  blood.  The  hiftory  of  nations,  from  I  heir  fnR 
rife  to  the  prefent  day,  dcfcribes  an  awful  tragedy  ;  a 
ferics  of  battles  and  lieges,  of  revolutions  and  conqueAs, 
of  ravages  and  maflacres.  Millions,  hundreds  of  mil- 
lions, nay,  many  thoufands  of  millions,  on  a  fair  com- 
putation, have  been  devoured  by  the  fword.  This  is 
Jehovah's  llrangc  work,  his  moft  tremendous  fcourgc. 
The  nations  of  the  earth  refcmblc  the  ocean,  angry  and 
tumultuous  by  winds  and  tempefls,  when  its  waters 
caft  up  mire  and  dirt. 

Now  what  is  the  caufc  of  this  confufion  and  mifery  ? 
What  fets  the  fons  of  men,  like  fo  many  favages  and 
tigers,  to  biting  and  devouring  one  another  ?  Whence 
is  it,  that  nations  are  perpetually  dafhing  againfl:  each 
other  with  fuch  fearful  violence,  and  tearing  each  other 
to  pieces  with  the  ferocity  of  hungry  bears  and  the 
malignity  of  demons  ?  What  is  the  infernal  caufe, 
which  makes  the  moft  fuccefsful  butcher  of  men  the 
moft  honorable  and  celebrated  character  ?  which  places 
the  moft  bloody  murderer  upon  the  pinnacle  of  fame, 
and  makes  the  inftruments  of  deftru^lion  the  necefta- 
ry  furniture  of  kingdoms  ?  The  apoftle  James  has  pro- 
pounded and  anfwercd  the  fame  inquiry.  FrQin  ivhencg 
come  ivars  and Jight'uigs  among  you  ?  Come  they  not  henccy 
even  of  your  lujis  that  war  in  your  members  ?  The  lufts 
of  men,  their  carnal  appetites  and  paflions,  which 
are  in  endlefs  ferment  and  broil, — thefe  are  the  caufe, 
the  fruitful  fource,  of  all  the  fchifm,  ftrife  ard  violence, 
which  blacken  the  hiftory  of  families,  churches,  ftates, 
kingdoms  and  empires.  Thefe  lufts  are  efpecially  the 
turbulent  fource  of  all  the  wars  and  fightings,  which 
have  deftroyed  unnumbered  millions  of  our  guilty 
race.  The  luft  oipoiver,  the  luft  of  'ivealth^  the  luft  of 
praJfe^  and  the  luft  of  revenge^  have  kept  the  world  in 
arms  from  age  to  age.  Proud  man  is  ambitious  to  cx- 
ercife  dominion  over  his  fellow.  Power  enables  him 
to  gratify  the  vile  paflions  of  his  depraved  and  fclfifti 
*■  heart.    It  brings  a  thoufand  things  into  fubferviency 


h 


6 


frSi— ."* 


to  Ills  NviII ;  and  when  rnifcd  to  a  certain  pitch,  he 
looks  down  ficnn  his  thionc  u;ion  the  minions  below 
him,  and  thcl.ingULU^e  of  his  heart  and  conducl  is,  hnn, 
and  Kom  clfc  Ihjhl:  r.ic.  Wliat  but  an  iniatiablc  lufl  of 
power  could  prompt  a  man  to  pillajvc  cities,  defol.ilc 
countries,  find  murder  tlioufhnds  of  every  age,  fex 
and  condition,  for  tlie  fake  of  wielding  the  Icourj^^c 
of  defpotifm  over  the  miferablc  beings,  whom  he  re- 
duces under  his  authority  ? 

What  but  an  idolatrous  third  for  Tc/i'^///!', prompts 
One  nation  to  invade  and  feize  the  property  of  ano- 
ther ?  What  makes  viclorious  armies  fo  eager  to  plun- 
d'^r  cities  and  churches,  and  fomctimes  even  to  rake 
open  the  aflics  of  the  dead  ? 

The  luft  of  pra'ifi  will  carry  a  man  through  inde- 
fcribable  Icencs  of  danger  and  toil.  For  the  fake  of  a 
great  name,  lie  will  lacrifice  the  lives  of  millions,  rufli 
into  the  cannon's  mouth,  and,  in  defiance  of  death, 
wade  to  the  temple  of  fame  through  fields  and  rivers 
of  blood. 

What  the  infernal  pafilon  of  revenge,  when  armed 
with  pou'cr,  will  prompt  a  man  to  do,  I  fliall  not,  at 
prefent,  attempt  to  delcribe. 

Alas !  what  havoc  has  been  made  in  the  world  by 
the  kids  of  men  !  TJiey  fet  on  fire  the  coiirfc  of  nature, 
and  are  Jit  on  fire  rf  hell.  Thele  arc  the  appetites  and 
pafiions  whence  wars  proceed.  Here  is  the  criminal 
fource  of  all  wars.  In  every  war  there  is  an  aggrcHor  ; 
and  if  the  invaded  power  acl  flriclly  on  the  defenfive, 
the  invader  is  anfwcrable  for  all  the  evil  that  may  cn- 
fue.  If  war  proceeds  from  fuch  a  fource,  muft  it  not 
be  diftrefling  and  lamentable  to  the  benevolent  mind  ? 

But  this  is  not  a  view  of  the  whole  caufe  of  war. 

Thefe  lufts  of  men  lunr  in  their  members.  They  give 
rife  to  thofe  innumerable  fins  in  a  nation,  which  pro- 
voke the  Almighty,  and  arc  the  caufe,  or  rcafon,  of 
his  fending  fo  heavy  a  judgment.  What  iniquity, 
what  vice,  what  form  or  defcription  of  impiety  and 
wickcdnefs  e.xifling  in  the  land,  cannot  be  traced  to 


1, 


1 


fomc  of  the  evil  cllfporuiuns  and  priHloiis,  or  to  all  of 
thciii  combined  ? 

If  \vc  fcarch  for  the  caufes  why  ice  ?.re  vlfitcd  with 
tills  forcR  of  cahmitics,  wc  fli.di  find  cnrugli  to  fill 
us  with  abnn,  and  to  pain  us  at  the  very  heart.  Wc 
have  departed  from  God.  Our  fins  have  cxh.aufled 
his  patienec,  and  feparated  betv.ccn  liim  and  us.  For 
thclc  it  is  that  wc  arc  vifitcd  in  anger.  We  arc  a  pco- 
pic  ladai  icith  iniquity^  a  feed  of  c-vil  dccrs^  children  that 
are  corrupters ;  loife  to  do  cvi/y  but  to  do  good  haiic  no 
hioiuledgc. 

If  wc  furvey  the  moral  Aatc  of  our  country,  a  dif- 
mal  feene  opens  before  our  eyes.  Where  on  our  guil- 
ty globe  can  we  find  a  more  finful  fpot,  than  this  land, 
which  boafls  of  her  liberty  and  religion  ?  If  we  have 
not  equalled  fome  other  nations  in  the  enormity  of 
o'ltward  crimes,  wc  exceed  them  in  guiltinefs  before 
God  :  for,  with  reference  to  the  people  at  large,  we 
are  the  mofl  enlightened  and  the  mril  exalted  by  ci- 
vil and  religious  privileges,  of  every  nation  under  hea- 
ven. 

Of  all  people,  we  are  guilty  of  the  hlackeji  ingratitude. 
The  various  bleilings,  which  God  has  been  pleafcd  for 
many  years  to  pour  into  our  cup,  we  have  wickedly 
perverted  to  nourifli  thofe  vile  difpofitions  and  paflions, 
whence  impiety  and  every  evil  work  proceed.  What 
a  torrent  of  vice  and  irreligion  overfpreads  our  land ! 
What  ignorance  of  God  and  divine  things!  What 
carelefTncfs  in  regard  to  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  on 
earth,  and  the  eternal  intereft  of  the  foul ! 

Infidelity^  and  thofe  errors  in  religion  which  are  but  a 
ftep  from  that  fatal  vortex,  have  gained  an  aftonifliing 
inliuence  in  our  land,  within  a  few  years,  and  feem 
ftill  to  fpread.  It  is  an  age  of  unbelief  and  impious 
fcofiing,  which  indicate  that  the  lajl perilous  times ^  fore- 
told in  the  prophetic  oracles,  are  come. 

Family  government  and  religion^  the  bafis  of  all  good  or- 
der in  fociety,  is  extremely  degenerated,  and,  to  a  great 
extent,  is  entirely  loft.     The  days  of  our  fathers  arc  no 


6 


). 


I     ! 


more,  lluiulrcds  of  clj'ilclrcn  uiul  yovilTi  in  tlils  finglc 
town,  ;uh\  Iiuiulials  of  thoufiiuls  in  ihc  country,  arc 
left  to  thcnifclvcs,  without  rcftniint,  vitliout  inllruc- 
tion,  without  ilifcijilinc,  v/Ithout  virtuous  cxiinipU-,  to 
grow  up  in  llic  vorfl  of  Iiublts,  unprincipled  and  l:i\v- 
Icfs,  prepared  to  become  inflruuients  of  violence  and 
rapine. 

How  arc  the  fabbaths  of  the  Lord  difrcgarded  and 
profaned  !  In  regard  to  the  obfervance  of  tlic  fabbath, 
God  has  always  fliown  a  j)eculiar  jcaloufy.  And  the 
profanation  of  that  holy  day  is  often  mentioned  by 
the  prophets,  as  one  of  the  crying  fins  of  the  Jews,  for 
which  he  repeatedly  fcourged  and  finally  deflroycd 
them.  It  is  lamentable  to  fee  our  wharves  and  public 
corners  thronged  with  men  and  youth,  on  the  Lord's 
day,  to  convcrfe  on  their  fccular  concerns,  when  God 
has  cxprcfsly  forbidden  us  1o  find  our  own  pleafurcs^  o.' 
/peak  our  own  wonfs,  on  that  day.* 

Multitudes  are  deftroying  themfelves  and  their  cliil- 
drcn,  both  for  this  world  and  the  next,  by  an  exccffive 
life  of  ardent  fpirits.  In  no  way  can  a  perfon  efl'ect  his 
temporal,  and  eternal  ruin  more  completely  and  cer- 
tainly, than  by  contracling  this  odious  and  ^ital  habit. 
No  vice  fo  cft'eclually  proftrates  and  befots  every  fiicul- 
ty  of  the  man,  and  fo  utterly  defiices  every  feature, 
which  dilHnguiflics  the  child  of  Adam  from  the  filthy 
brute.  Slink  in  this  polluted  mire,  heaven  cannot  al- 
lure, nor  hell  deter  him  from  the  practice.  It  is  a 
deadly  fnare  of  the  devil,  from  which  few  are  reco- 
vered. Yet  the  black  lift  of  victims  to  this  dreadful 
vice  appears  to  be  daily  increafing. 

Lyin^  znd  J/ander  are  crying  fins  of  the  prefent  day. 
A  lying  fpirit  feems  to  have  pervaded  all  ranks  of  fo- 
ciety.  This  is  infeparably  connected  with  that  violent 
party  fpirit^  which  rages  through  the  head  and  members  of 
the  'political  body.  Whatever  one  aflirms,  which  has 
any  bearing  upon  political  opinions  and  public  mea- 
furcs,  another  is  almoft  fure  to  deny.     We  fcarccly 

'  '  •  Ifalah  Iviii.  13. 


ll. 


;t 


5 


kno\v  wliat  to  believe,  laying  and  detraction  lirivd 
infected  the  vcliiclcs  of  general  information.  Every 
tiling  is  fent  abroad  under  a  coloring,  which  fuits  the 
views  and  defisrns  of  him  who  fends  it.  There  is  an 
awful  infatuation  in  the  mmds  of  men.  It  fcems  to 
be  a  portentous,  judicial  blindncfs.  I  cannot  but  view 
this  divifion  and  bitterncfs  of  party  fpirit,  as  threat- 
ening to  our  liberties,  and  even  our  cxiilencc.  It 
grows  into  fettled  hatred  and  enmity,  and  prepares 
the  minds  of  men  for  the  work  of  dcftruction.  It 
alienates  the  focial  feelings,  poifons  the  very  vitals  of 
community,  annihilates  domeftic  order  and  tranquilli- 
ty, fets  brother  at  variance  with  brother,  the  father 
with  the  fon,  and  paves  the  way  for  civil  war  and  fi- 
nal ruin.  Internal  diflcntion  and  difcord  in  a  repub- 
lican government,  when  they  rife  to  a  high  degree 
and  become  inveterate,  are  harbingers,  which  proclaim 
the  approaching  death  of  liberty.  E'very  kingdom  di- 
'uided  againji  itfclfi  faid  a  divine  Teacher,  is  brovght  io 
defolaiion. 

Such,  my  brethren,  are  the  caufes  of  war.  Such,  in 
brief,  are  the  rcafons  why  the  Lord  is  vifiting  us  with 
the  fword.  In  thefe  caufes,  does  not  every  one,  who 
regards  the  honor  of  God  and  the  good  of  men,  fee 
enough  to  pain  him  at  the  very  heart,  and  fill  his  foul 
with  grief  and  lamentation  ?  Not  to  be  affected  in  this 
way  by  a  view  of  the  fins  and  miferies  of  our  race, 
and  efpecially  of  our  guilty  land,  indicates  a  deplora- 
ble blindnefs  of  mind  and  depravity  of  heart,  and 
evinces  a  moft  criminal  indifference  to  the  honor  of 
God  and  the  true  interefls  of  men. 

I^ct  us  now, 

II.  Confider  what  there  is  diftreffing  and  lamenta- 
ble in  the  ef-e6ls  of  a  bloody  warfare. 

War  is  dreadful,  whether  viewed  in  its  caufes  or  its 
effects.  The  effects  of  war,  though  it  be  carried  on  in 
the  mildeft  manner,  arc  very  difaSrous  and  diftrcffmg. 

The  war,  in  which  we  are  engaged,  has  hitherto  bccm 
condu(5tcd  with  uncommon  mifdncfs  and  humanity, 

B 


1 


•i 


\   I 


4 


10 


For  this  \vc  liavc  great  rcafon  for  tliankrulnefy.  It  is 
mod  devoutly  to  bo  wiflicd,  that  the  fame  character 
may  be  prcferved,  till  the  unhappy  controvcrfy  fliall  be 
amicably  clofed.  But  this  is  not  the  general  charadcr 
of  modern  warfare.  Its  progrefs,  of  late  years,  has  been, 
marked  with  the  cruelty  and  rapine  of  ancient  barbari- 
ty. And  whether  the  war  in  which  we  arc  involved, 
is  foon'to  aflumc  this  bloody  and  ferocious  character, 
who  can  predict  ? 

But  to  reduce  our  remarks  on  the  diftrefiing  cITecIs 
of  w\ar  to  more  order  and  prccifion,  it  may  be  obfervcd, 
that  war  is  attended  with  diftrcfTing  cflects  on  the  /ro- 
ferty^  the  religion  and  morals^  the  happincfs  and  lives,  of 
the  nation. 

It  is  attended  with  ruinous  efTccls  on  the  properly  of 
the  nation. 

When  the  object  of  war  is  plunder  and  conquell, 
the  nation,  if  fuccefsful,  may,  for  a  time,  indeed,  en- 
hance its  treafures.  But  fuch  cannot  be  the  object  of 
the  prefcnt  w^ar.  We  have  nothing  of  any  value  to 
gain. 

What  is  there  to  be  gained  upon  the  land? 

The  Britifli  provinces  in  America  are  of  importance 
to  that  nation  in  relation  to  their  extenfive  com- 
merce. But  to  us  they  would  be  of  no  ufe,  efpecially 
^ftcr  the  annihilation  of  our  commerce.  Should  our 
armies,  when  powerful  ones  can  be  raifcd,  attempt  to 
fcize  on  thofc  provinces,  and  fuccecd  in  the  enter- 
prife,  it  would  not  be  effected  but  with  the  expcnfe  of 
immcnfe  treafurc  and  blood.  The  navigation  of  the 
St.  Lawrence  is  not  eafily  obftruded,  and  the  city  of 
Quebec  is  one  of  the  mod  impregnable  fortreffes  in 
tlie  world.  Many  thoufands  of  lives,  and  perhaps  mil- 
lions of  money,  would  be  facrificed  before  the  conqueft 
could  be  completed.  And  when  completed,  the  pro- 
vinces muft  be  kept  at  a  vaft  cxpenfe,  without  yield- 
ing the  leaft  profit  to  the  nation ;  and  after  all  muft 
probably  be  given  up  to  their  prcfent  owners,  before 
a  peace  could  be  obtained.  Such  is  our  profpect  of 
gain  by  land. 


:i    I 


/ 


''( 


11 


Wliat  13  oiu'liope  of  fucccfs  and  profit  upon  the  ocean? 
Will  the  thunder  of  cur  navy  filencc  the  roar  of  the 
Britifli  lion  ?  Will  the  American  caqle  tear  out  the 
lion's  eyes,  and  cat  his  flefh  ?  Will  our  mighty  fleets 
fwecp  from  the  ocean  a  thoufand  fliips  of  war  ?  Where 
arc  the  fleets  and  navies  of  thofe  nations  of  Europe, 
which  joined  thedcfpot  of  the  continent  againft  Great- 
Britain,  in  a  war  of  extermination  ?  In  their  fate  we 
may  read  an  inftrudive  leflbn. 

What  is  the  profpeft  before  us  in  regard  to  our 
commerce  ?  Will  God  work  for  us  a  conliant  miracle, 
that  we  may  purfuc  a  lucrative  trade  to  all  quarters 
of  the  world,  in  fpite  of  our  enemies,  whofc  cruifers 
cover  the  ocean  ?  Or  fliall  we  fend  out  cruifers  fo 
many  and  fo  ftrong  as  to  be  able  to  take  **  two  prizes 
to  our  enemies*  one,"  and  gain  twice  as  much  as  wc 
lliall  lofe  ?  Inftrucled  by  fad  experience,  if,  indeed, 
we  receive  the  inftrudtions  of  this  teacher,  we  mufi; 
fay,  the  profpe<fl  promifcs  nothing  ; — the  hope  is  for- 
lorn. Hitherto  the  balance  of  gain  and  lofs  is  im- 
mcnfcly  againft  us.  Our  gain  bears  but  a  fmall  propor- 
tion to  our  lofs.  And  if  this  war  be  long  protrafled, 
I  believe  we  fliall  be  compelled  to  abandon  the  ocean. 
Will  not  the  war  then  be  deftruftive  to  the  property 
of  the  nation  ?  Yes  :  exccflivc  burdens  mufl  be  im- 
pofed  upon  innocent  people.  Money,  the  great  finew 
of  war,  muft  be  obtained,  or  we  muft  quit  the  conteft. 
But  where  will  be  our  refources,  except  in  the  people 
themfelves  ?  On  them  the  whole  burden  muft  ulti- 
mately be  laid.  Men,  who  have  acquired  handfomc 
cftatcs  by  lawful  cnterprife  and  laborious  induftry, 
muft  give  up  their  purfuits,  and  thoufands  of  them  be 
reduced  to  penury  and  want. 

But  the  evils  in  regard  to  property  arc  among  the 
leaft  of  the  diftrefling  cfFefls  of  this  difaftrous  war. 

It  will  have  a  ruinous  influence  upon  the  religion 
and  morals  of  the  country. 

War  never  reforms,  but  always  demoralizes,  a  peo- 
ple.   It  opens  all  the  flood  gates  of  impiety  and  liccn* 


■-•■n  ■ . 


r 


12 


{' 


I  i 


' ') 


tioufiicfs.  In  time  of  war  the  wicked  brcnmc  bold 
and  inipudciv  in  fm.  It  opens  a  wide  field  for  the 
excrcifc  ano  fplay  of  all  the  angry,  vile  and  malig- 
nant pafl'ions.  \Vhcn  men  arc  accuftomed  to  rapine 
and  blood,  and  arc  conftantly  in  the  midfl  of  all  the 
profiincncfs,  blafphcmy,  debauchery,  and  every  conta- 
gious evil,  which  abound  in  an  army,  they  lofe  every 
ipark  of  kindnefs  and  mercy,  and  become  ferocious 
beads,  fitted  for  the  work  of  cruelty  and  death.  The 
injury  done  in  a  public  body  by  a  bloody  war,  cannot 
be  repaired  for  many  generations.  Perhaps  it  is  never 
repaired.  War  is  at  once  the  caufe  and  the  efiecl  of 
great  corruption  in  the  principles  and  manners  of  the 
people.  God  is  a  being  of  perfect  goodnefs  and  equi- 
ty. He  does  not  forfake  and  punifli  a  nation,  till  they 
iirft  forfake  him  and  call  off  his  authority. 

The  war  in  which  we  arc  involved  has  an  alarming 
afpecl  in  regard  to  the  caufe  of  religion  and  virtue. 
It  will  fwell  the  tide  of  vice  and  irreligion,  which  has 
already  rifen  to  an  enormous  degree.  If  it  continue 
and  rage,  we  fhall  fee  the  abounding  of  infidelity  and 
every  fpecies  of  crime.  The  holy  name  of  God  and 
Chrift,  fo  precious  to  the  believer,  will  be  more  open- 
ly and  audacioufly  blafphemed.  We  fliall  fee  the  wor- 
fliip  of  God  defertcd  by  many,  and  his  holy  day  and 
facred  inftitutions  profaned  with  more  unblufliirg 
impiety.  Our  fons  and  daughters  will  grow  up  with 
thofe  feelings  and  habits,  which  will  prepare  them  to 
caft  off  the  fear  of  God  and.  man,  and  to  rufh  head- 
long in  the  broad  road  to  deftruclion.  Our  fons  will 
be  educated  to  the  bloody  trade  of  butchering  their 
fellow  men.  Indeed,  there  is  no  evil  that  can  befal 
us  in  a  religious  and  moral  fcnfe,  which  is  not  the 
production  of  war. 

Befides ;  as  thofe  who  are  contending  with  a  com- 
mon  enemy,  are  engaged  in  a  common  caufe,  which 
involves  a  common  intercfi:,  they  are  very  naturally 
led  to  imite  in  their  counfels  and  meafurcs.  They 
are  natural  allies.    Should  fuch  a  connexion  be  form* 


,1 

lii 

'  'I 


13 


/ 


I 


ed,  which  God  forbid !  vith  tliat  gigantic  powci-, 
vvhicli  is  proflrating  tlic  liberties  of  the  world,  it 
would  be  a  death  blow  to  our  freedom,  and  perliap^ 
to  our  religion. 

Thofe,  who  view  the  figns  of  the  times  in  the  light 
of  prophecy,  who  have  made  the  moft  diligent  rc- 
fearch,  and  are  the  moft  competent  to  underftand 
thefe  deep  things  of  God,  are  more  and  more  convin- 
ced, that  that  terrific  power  is  to  make  war  upon  the 
church,  in  the  final  approaching  ftruggle,  and  is  to  be 
overcome  and  deftroyed  by  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb. 
Thofe,  who  fhall  be  in  alliance  with  that  power,  will 
be  found  fighting  againft  God,  and  muft  fhare  in  the 
fate  of  his  enemies. 

Another  diftrelling  effecl:  of  a  bloody  war,  is,  the  in- 
fluence it  has  upon  the  happincfs  and  lives  of  the  people. 

The  cohfufion  and  difmay,  which  pervade  all  rariks 
of  fociety,  in  thofe  places,  which  are  near  the  fcencs  of 
warfare,  or  are  imminently  expofcd  to  the  attacks  of 
the  enemy,  cannot  be  realized,  but  by  thofe,  who  have 
experinced  fuch  fliocking  alarms.  In  Salem  we  hard- 
ly fecm  to  feel  as  if  a  war  did  acflually  exift  between 
us  and  Great-Britain.  But  had  we  been  on  the  fron- 
tiers, when  the  declaration  of  war  reached  them,  we 
fliould  have  witncfled  a  fcene  of  confufion  and  difmay, 
which  would  have  pained  us  at  the  very  heart.  Fami- 
lies, quietly  purfuing  their  lawful  callings,  are  fudden- 
ly  thrown  into  confternation,  and  know  not  what  to 
do.  Men,  women  and  children  inftantly  drop  the  uten- 
iils  of  induftry  from  their  hands,  forfake  their  bufinefs, 
and  run  together  for  fear  of  what  may  come  upon 
them,  and  to  take  meafures  for  their  fafety.  Various 
and  contradictory  reports  are  flying,  and  they  know  not 
what  to  believe.  At  night  they  bar  their  doors  with 
the  utnioft  care,  and  fcarcely  dare  to  clofe  their  eyes 
in  flecp.  Families,  that  were  happily  fettled,  collecl 
fuch  of  their  efre<^s  as  they  can  carry,  and  leaving  the 
reft,-  hurry  from  the  fcene  of  danger  and  diftrels. 
Churches  and  congregations  arc  brpkcn  up,  the  fanc- 


■i  . 


i      5 


•i 


tuarlcs  of  tin?  Lord  arc  forfakcn,  padovs  and  tliclr  flocks 
arc  fcjxiratcd  and  fcattcrcd  abroad.  I  have  fccn  a  pious 
clergyman,  who  was  fctflcd  on  our  weftcrn  frontier,^ 
and  witnclTcd  the  diflrc/nng  fccnc,  when  they  firfl:  heard 
the  declaration  of  the  prefent  war.  He  was  one,  who 
forfook  his  habitation. 

Sucli  confufion  and  diflrefs  did  the  news  fpread 
through  our  frontier  fettlements,  ftretching  the  dif- 
tance  of  fifteen  hundred  miles.  And  the  fame  confufion 
and  diflirefs  fpread  through  the  Britifli  frontier  to  the 
fiunc  extent. 

But  what  is  this  bloodlcfs  mifery  and  alarm,  compar- 
ed with  the  thoufands  and  hundreds  of  thoufands,  by 
fea  and  land,  who  will  perifli  in  this  war,  if  it  come  not 
to  a  fpeedy  clofe  ?  x^h,  how  painful  to  the  benevolent 
heart,  to  view  hundreds  of  thoufands  of  immortal  fouls, 
plunged  into  eternity  in  all  their  unpardoned  guilt,  and 
hurried  in  dcfpair  to  the  tribunal  of  a  righteous  God  ! 
Shoukl  our  government  and  Great-Britain  adopt  the 
common  praftice  of  belligerent  nations,  to  do  to  each 
other  all  the  injury  in  their  power,  no  tongue  can  ex- 
prcfs  the  fccnes  of  blood  and  wretchednefs,  which  we 
fliould  fliortly  behold. 

Our  defencelefs  fea  coaft,  for  fifteen  hundred  miles, 
IS  cxpofed  to  the  floating  batteries  of  the  Britifh  navy. 
Our  mofl:  populous  and  flourifliing  towns  and  cities 
they  might  quickly  lay  in  aflies.  On  our  extenfive 
frontiers,  wc  are  expofed  not  only  to  her  regular  ar- 
mies, but  to  the  lawlefs  favages,  who  may  be  excited 
to  arms  and  let  loofe  upon  us  with  relentlefs  cruelty 
and  unbridled  carnage.  The  favages  of  the  wildernefs 
are  dill  numerous,  revengeful  and  terrible.  We  hope 
and  pray,  that  fuch  horrid  deeds  may  not  be  permit- 
ted :  that  God  would  reftrain  the  wrath  of  man. 

To  thefc  circumftances  we  may  add,  that  there  are 
nearly  twelve  hundred  thoufand  flavcs  in  the  United 
States,  who  arc  reftlcfs  in  their  bondage,  and  might 
be  cafily  excited  to  arms.  Agents  may  not,  perhaps, 
be  wanting  to  engage  in  this  nefarious  work.    We 


'\ 


IB 


hope  better  things,  however,  even  of  our  encmicM. 
But  on  thefc  accounts,  confidcrlng  our  fitiuition,  anc! 
the  ufual  maxims  of  warfare,  have  wc  not  reafons  for 
ferious  apprchenfion  ? 

Of  thefe  twelve  hundred  thoufand  flaves,  more  than 
eleven  hundred  thoufand  are  owned  in  the  fouthcrn 
feclion  of  the  Union.  One  third  of  the  whole  popula- 
tion of  the  Southern  States  are  flaves !  For  many  ge- 
nerations, their  blood  and  their  ftripeshave  been  cryin^q; 
to  heaven  for  vengeance.  And  from  the  general  me- 
thod of  providence  in  adminifteringdiftributivejuflice, 
have  we  not  reafon  to  conclude,  that  God  will  ere  long 
avenge  them  of  their  cruel  oppreflbrs  ?  Doubtlcfs  they 
will  be  avenged.  And  who  knows  but  the  time  is  juft 
at  hand  j  and  that  the  prefent  war  may  afibrd  an  op- 
portunity, when  a  righteous  God  will  permit  them  to 
rife  and  fliake  off  their  yoke  ?  Mofl  horrible  would  be 
the  fcenes  of  rapine  and  carnage.  I  fliudder  at  the 
thought. 

Such,  my  brethren,  are  fome  of  the  circumflances, 
which  render  a  bloody  warfare,  and  the  prefent  in 
particular,  peculiarly  diftrefling  to  every  enlightened 
and  benevolent  mind.  The  evils  are  very  imperfeclly 
depicled.  But  in  view  even  of  this  portraiture,  is  not 
every  one  who  has  proper  feelings  on  the  folemn  fub- 
ject,  ready  to  exclaim  with  the  prophet  in  the  text, 
My  bowels,  my  bowels  /  I  am  pained  at  my  very  heart  ;  I 
cannot  hold  my  peace,  becatife  thou  haft  heard,  0  my  foul, 
the  found  of  the  trumpet,  the  alarm  of  war. 

From  our  fubjecl  it  clearly  appears,  that  no  nation 
ought  ever  to  wage  war  with  another  nation,  with- 
out the  moft  abfolute  neceflity,  and  after  the  failure 
of  every  other  means  for  obtaining  juftice  and  prc- 
ferving  peace,  which  equity  and  religion  dictate. 

A  war  muft  be  jujl,  and  it  muft  be  necejfary,  or  all 
the  blood  that  is  fpilt  in  it,  and  all  the  tremendous 
evils  which  attend  and  follow  it,  will  be  chargeable 
upon  its  authors  and  abettors  j   and  at  their  hands  a 


' 

1 

1 

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nglitcoiis  God  vnll  require  them.  Did  it  appear,  tliat 
the  prelcnt  war  is  jufi,  ncccflhry  and  expedient,  how- 
ever much  we  might  deplore  the  evils  attending  it, 
every  patriot  would  heartily  contribute  liis  influence 
to  give  it  ^'igor  and  fuccefs.  But  no  war,  M'hich  is 
not  flndly  defenfive,  can  ever  bewared  on  principles 
of  rcaitude.  In  their  treatment  of  each  other,  na- 
tions, no  lefs  than  individuals,  are  bound  by  the  law 
of  God,  as  explained  by  an  unerring  Expofitor.  Re- 
venge, 01-  rendering  evil  for  evil,  is.  totally  repugnant 
to  chrillianity.  On  chrilHan  principles,  the  praclicc 
of  duelling,  or  retaliating  injuries  in  any  form,  can  as 
eafily  be  juflified,  as  an  oflenfive  war. 

y\gain.  If  fuch  are  the  diftrefs  and  pernicious  cf- 
fecT:s  of  war,  how  critical  and  folcmn  is  the  fituatiori 
of  the  rulers  of  nations  1  By  a  fingle  ad,  they  may 
occafion  the  temporal  and  eternal  ruin  of  tlioufands 
or  niillions.  If  they  plunge  the  nation  into  an  unnc- 
ccflary  and  unrighteous  war,  they  are  accountable  for 
all  the  blood  and  mifery  the  war  may  occafion.  They 
need  your  prayers. 

In  view  of  the  whole  fubjecl,  who  can  doubt,  that 
wc  have  abundant  reafon,  this  day,  for  humiliation 
and  prayer  ?  God  is  angry.  The  cry  of  our  iniqui- 
ties has  readied  to  heaven,  and  the  Almighty  has 
come  down  to  punifli  our  ingratitude  and  rebellion. 
But  if  we  penitently  return  unto  him,  he  will  gra- 
cioufly  return  unto  us. 


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